Texas

Chronology of Coverage

Mar. 31, 2015

Mimi Swartz Op-Ed article recounts her initial discomfort with prospect of Sen Ted Cruz's presidential campaign, noting how run for higher office by a Texan has so often been accompanied by wackiness; holds those looking for a traditional Texas politician, however, should look elsewhere because Cruz, who identifies as an outsider and individualist, is profoundly different, and a lot less fun. MORE

Mar. 26, 2015

Texas Department of Criminal Justice says state prison officials have acquired small supply of pentobarbital to replenish their inventory so lethal injections set for April can be carried out. MORE

Mar. 24, 2015

Mar. 23, 2015

Supreme Court will hear case Walker v Sons of Confederate Veterans, challenge to Texas decision to refuse to allow license plates that feature Confederate flag; case will consider limits of free expression and the meaning of the flag, which many associate with secession and slavery. MORE

Mar. 13, 2015

Op-Ed article by author Richard Parker warns that drought, population growth and effects of climate change are intensifying tug-of-war over water in southwestern United States; says tension is exemplified by plan to divert water from Trinity Aquifer in Wimberly, Tex, to expanding Austin suburb Buda, and similar schemes throughout region; cautions that natural drought cycles compounded by global warming are significant threat to regional population, and questions whether modern engineering can avert disaster. MORE

Mar. 11, 2015

Judge Andrew S Hanen, who issued February ruling temporarily halting Pres Obama's executive order shielding millions of illegal immigrants from deportation, is seen in Texas as fair and keenly intelligent jurist; Hanen has begun to issue increasingly dire warnings about what he sees as porous border with Mexico. MORE

Mar. 11, 2015

Community colleges in Texas and the Gulf Coast region are servicing surge in demand for welders, pipe fitters and other types of skilled labor that had once seemed doomed to obsolescence; insistent hunger for welders in particular has led to unusually close partnership between booming energy industry and local vocational schools (Series: A Shifting Middle). MORE

Mar. 10, 2015

Republic of Texas is self-proclaimed separatist republic that contends Texas never legally joined United States; run by volunteers, republic maintains its own congress and currency; group's public profile was heightened when Federal Bureau of Investigation raided a meeting, with dozen's of group's supporters detained, some of whom were fingerprinted or had their cellphones confiscated. MORE

Mar. 2, 2015

Op-Ed article by Ehiracenia Vasquez, member of the Texas Organizing Project, describes her life as an undocumented immigrant mother and debilitating effect the fear of deportation has on her family; notes her deep disappointment after Texas judge temporarily halted Pres Obama's Deferred Action for Parents of Americans. MORE

Feb. 27, 2015

Lawyers for Eddie Ray Routh plan to appeal his conviction in the murder of Navy SEAL Chris Kyle; will argue that Kyle's celebrity prevented Routh from receiving fair trial. MORE

Feb. 26, 2015

Texas jury finds Eddie Ray Routh guilty in 2013 murders of former Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle and his friend Chad Littlefield, rejecting insanity defense; he will serve life in prison with no parole. MORE

Feb. 25, 2015

Eddie Ray Routh, veteran charged with killing former Navy SEAL Chris Kyle and his friend Chad Littlefield in 2013, is found guilty of murder and sentenced to life in prison after Texas jury rejects mental illness claim. MORE

Feb. 24, 2015

Republican politicians like Texas Gov Greg Abbot have increasingly been passing laws at state level to block or overturn regulations enacted by cities; state conservatives, enraged over town of Denton's ban on fracking, have countered with range of bills to stymie local power; Republican state lawmakers in multiple states are passing so-called pre-emption laws to obstruct actions of voters and leaders in large municipalities, which tend to be more liberal. MORE

Feb. 24, 2015

Texas Court of Criminal Appeals stays scheduled execution of Rodney Reed, who was convicted of killing a 19-year-old woman in 1996; is reviewing claims of erroneous evidence. MORE

Feb. 21, 2015

Texas Atty Gen Ken Paxton calls on State Supreme Court to revoke marriage license issued to two women, citing decade-old state ban on same-sex marriage. MORE

Feb. 20, 2015

Murder trial of Eddie Ray Routh, who has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to killing celebrated sniper Chris Kyle and his friend Chad Littlefield, establishes detailed and emotional history of men, but no clear picture of Routh's motives; both Routh and Kyle grew up in same Dallas suburb and served in same war, though Routh had far more difficulty adapting to civilian life after returning home. MORE

Feb. 19, 2015

Obama administration is struggling for response to Federal District Court Judge Andrew S Hanen's ruling stopping executive orders to protect millions of undocumented immigrants from going into effect; Justice Dept spokewoman says no decision has been made on an emergency application to an appeals court, but vows a fight to any such challenges to Obama's actions. MORE

Feb. 18, 2015

Feb. 12, 2015

Trial begins for ex-Marine Eddie Ray Routh, who fatally shot former Navy SEALs sniper Chris Kyle and his friend Chad Littlefield at shooting range near Stephenville, Tex, in 2013; Kyle's life is subject of hit movie American Sniper; jury is told Routh, who has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, had schizophrenia and post-traumatic stress disorder after returning from Iraq. MORE

Feb. 10, 2015

Rural town of Stephenville, Tex, is on edge over imminent trial of Eddie Ray Routh, mentally ill veteran charged with killing former Navy SEALs sniper Chris Kyle and Chad Littlefield; lawyers for Routh question whether he can receive fair trial due to town's reverence for Kyle and popularity of film American Sniper, based on Kyle's book. MORE

Feb. 7, 2015

Homeland Security Dept's investigation into treatment of women and children at immigration detention center in Texas finds no evidence of abuse by guards. MORE

Feb. 6, 2015

Editorial commends strides Texas has made in reforming its juvenile justice system following public outcry in 2007 over disclosures of neglect and abuse; contends that key element of success has been reduced use of state prisons for juvenile offenders and increased reliance on local rehabilitation programs; expresses hope that data reflecting Texas's successes will aid it and other states in improving treatment of young criminals. MORE

Feb. 5, 2015

Donald Newbury, robber and 'Texas 7' member who assisted in largest prison break in Texas history, is executed for 2000 killing of Irving police officer Aubrey Hawkins. MORE

Feb. 5, 2015

Gail Collins Op-Ed column discusses moral lessons surrounding Oscar-nominated movie American Sniper, about Iraq war veteran Chris Kyle; posits film is not only celebration of gun culture, but a cautionary tale; contends American gun lobby has pushed its cause so far that it may be falling off a cliff; says eagerness to water down gun laws in Texas may be waning. MORE

Jan. 28, 2015

Judge Bert Richardson of Texas rules that felony abuse-of-power case against former Gov Rick Perry will stand; rejects argument that Perry was within his rights as governor to carry out veto threat against Democratic district attorney who had refused to resign following drunk driving conviction. MORE

Jan. 28, 2015

Texas Court of Criminal Appeals issues reprieve to Garcia White, who was linked to five killings, but does not immediately explain decision. MORE

Jan. 25, 2015

Texas charter school co-founded by legendary football player Deion Sanders is set to vote to surrender its charter following years of management and financial problems. MORE

Jan. 23, 2015

Brian Morgan, co-founder and commissioner of Texas Youth Football League, defends practice of letting young boys play dangerous and violent game after several of the association's teams were featured on reality show Friday Night Tykes, prompting criticism of youth leagues; despite controversy, popular show has actually boosted enrollment in TYFL. MORE

Jan. 21, 2015

Greg Abbott is sworn in as Texas' first new governor over a decade; echoes his predecessor, former Gov Rick Perry, by declaring he will secure state's border and continue an anti-Washington stance. MORE

Jan. 20, 2015

Plummeting oil prices have cast pall over gleeful mood in Midland, Tex, and elsewhere in state's oil belt; companies are scaling back projects and announcing layoffs; residents, long accustomed to cycles of boom and bust, are rolling out alternative plans to earn side income and save money. MORE

Jan. 20, 2015

Texas Gov Rick Perry, on his last full day in office, discusses his 14 years as governor and says he will decide within five months whether to run for president in 2016. MORE

Jan. 17, 2015

Gail Collins Op-Ed column examines actions and faux pas committed by Texas Gov Rick Perry during his years in office; notes that Perry has stepped down but has not further elucidated his potential presidential ambitions. MORE

Jan. 16, 2015

Texas Gov Rick Perry makes farewell speech to state lawmakers as he prepares to leave office, emphasizing his successful 14-year tenure and paving way for possible 2016 presidential run; is departing under cloud of abuse of office charges. MORE

Jan. 15, 2015

Prison bus carrying inmates to state jail in El Paso skids off icy highway in West Texas and collides with train, killing two corrections officers and eight prisoners; one corrections officer and four other prisoners are injured. MORE

Jan. 11, 2015

Editorial observes that Texas may pass legislation that will allow gun owners to carry handguns openly as it is priority of Republican majority in State Legislature and of Gov-elect Greg Abbott; laments that debate in Texas over whether to allow open-carrying of handguns is barometer of where nation finds itself in gun debate, despite numerous deaths by firearms either by accident or by disturbed individuals. MORE

Jan. 10, 2015

Op-Ed article by Profs Corey Brettschneider and Nelson Tebbe describes freedom of speech debate ignited by lawsuits surrounding specialty license plates in Texas and North Carolina; holds that courts must balance private right to free speech against government's interest in conveying its own messages when deciding whether to allow specific messages on plates; contends that Texas is correct in rejecting plates with image of Confederate Flag, but that North Carolina should allow pro-choice plates. MORE

Jan. 8, 2015

Panel of judges in federal appeals court in New Orleans hears arguments over strict abortion clinic rules that could force closure of over half of 20 or so remaining abortion clinics in Texas; case, along with others in other states, could end up before Supreme Court in year or two; more than half of states have passed such laws as anti-abortion movement refines way around Roe v Wade. MORE

Dec. 31, 2014

Obama administration reports that over four million people have signed up for 2015 health insurance coverage through federal and state marketplaces; about 3.4 million enrolled are in 37 states using HealthCare.gov, website of federal marketplace, with largest increases in Florida and Texas; numbers are more modest in states running their own exchanges. MORE

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 26, 2014

The Upshot; 114th Congress will have Texans assuming leadership of six of 21 House committees, biggest number for state delegation since 1979. MORE

Dec. 23, 2014

Texas urologist Dr Michael T Graves counteracts his often sedentary and stressful work by taking part in soaring, sport of using sailplanes to glide thousands of feet above landscapes; vast and flat terrain in Texas is particularly good for soaring, though enthusiasts are scattered from coast to coast and around the world; some fear sport may be fading, as participants average about 60 years old. MORE

Dec. 4, 2014

Texas leads coalition including 16 other states in federal lawsuit challenging Pres Obama's executive actions on initiatives to provide protection from deportation and work permits for immigrants in the country illegally; contend Obama violated duty to enforce laws and illegally placed new burdens on state budgets. MORE

Dec. 4, 2014

Three-judge panel of United States Court of Appeals in New Orleans stays execution of Texas prisoner Scott Panetti, who shot his wife's parents to death in 1992, saying court needs more time to weigh larger mental health issues in case; Panetti's lawyers argue he suffered from schizophrenia for more than 30 years. MORE

Dec. 2, 2014

Lawyers for convicted Texas murderer Scott Panetti argue before Supreme Court that executing him would be unconstitutional, as he has been mentally ill for over three decades; case has drawn national attention as test for issues surrounding execution of mentally ill criminals. MORE

Nov. 28, 2014

Lenzi Sheible of Austin, Tex, founded nonprofit organization Fund Texas Choice to help finance travel costs for low-income women seeking abortions; more than half of state's abortion clinics have closed since May 2013. MORE

Nov. 25, 2014

Texas judge clears Candice Anderson in death of her boyfriend Gene Mikale Erickson, who died in car crash in 2004; although Anderson had pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide, she benefited from admission by General Motors that for first time publicly linked Erickson's death to ignition switch defect in Anderson's Saturn Ion, and millions of its small cars. MORE

Nov. 24, 2014

Editorial condemns planned execution in Texas of murderer Scott Panetti, who has shown himself to be mentally incompetent by any reasonable standard; holds case represents an egregious miscarriage of justice, and exemplifies how Texas and other stubborn states have found loopholes in Supreme Court's 2007 ruling on what constitutes mental illness in capital cases. MORE

Nov. 19, 2014

Texas Judge Bert Richardson refuses to quash on technicalities two criminal felony indictments for abuse of power against Gov Rick Perry. MORE

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Alan Nash, a district attorney in Texas, and Tim Moore, the defense lawyer, gave different portraits of Eddie Routh, who is accused of killing Chris Kyle, the protagonist in the “American Sniper” film.

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